ThAct: The Great Gatsby
This blog is a thinking activity task assigned by Dillip Barad Sir
The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby, novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, published in 1925 by Charles Scribner’s Sons. Set in Jazz Age New York, it tells the story of Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, and his pursuit of Daisy Buchanan, a wealthy young woman whom he loved in his youth.
Commercially unsuccessful when it was first published, The Great Gatsby—which was Fitzgerald’s third novel—is now considered a classic of American fiction and has often been called the Great American Novel.britannica
1 Read the article on the Book cover art and its connection to the novel's themes - and write your understanding of the symbolic significance of the book cover.
Francis Cugat's iconic "Celestial Eyes" cover art for F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is rich with symbolism that mirrors the novel's central themes. The dark blue background evokes feelings of sadness and loneliness, reflecting Jay Gatsby's inner turmoil despite his opulent lifestyle. This color choice also underscores the darker facets of the American Dream, highlighting the emptiness that can accompany material success.
The prominent disembodied eyes on the cover are often interpreted as representations of God, Dr. T.J. Eckleburg's billboard, or society's all-seeing gaze, serving as a moral compass that observes and judges the characters' actions. Additionally, the green light depicted symbolizes Gatsby's elusive dream of rekindling his love with Daisy Buchanan, emphasizing the unattainable nature of his desires. The city lights in the background further signify the materialism and superficiality prevalent in the pursuit of the American Dream.
In essence, Cugat's artwork encapsulates the novel's exploration of themes such as unfulfilled longing, the moral decay beneath wealth, and the disillusionment with the American Dream.
Write about 'Understanding Jay Gatsby's character' [Watch two short videos for the ideas i.e. (i) Understanding J. Gatsby and (ii) Psychoanalytical Study - Shame (guilt) and Grief.
Understanding Jay Gatsby
Jay Gatsby, the central figure in The Great Gatsby, is one of literature’s most enigmatic and tragic characters. He represents the American Dream, ambition, and the deep flaws of idealism. On the surface, Gatsby appears as a wealthy, successful man who throws extravagant parties, but beneath this persona lies a man driven by longing, illusion, and an unshakable past.
Gatsby’s Origins and Reinvention
Born as James Gatz into a poor farming family, Gatsby despised his humble beginnings and was determined to change his fate. His reinvention began when he met Dan Cody, a wealthy copper magnate who introduced him to the world of wealth and luxury. Though Gatsby didn’t inherit Cody’s money, the experience fueled his ambition to become someone of status. He completely shed his old identity, creating the wealthy and mysterious persona of Jay Gatsby.
His Love for Daisy Buchanan
Gatsby’s entire existence is built around his love for Daisy, a woman he met as a young soldier before leaving for World War I. Daisy, a symbol of wealth and privilege, represents everything Gatsby longs for—status, beauty, and a sense of belonging to the upper class. However, while Gatsby has spent years working to recreate the past, Daisy has moved on, marrying Tom Buchanan and settling into her life of comfort.
The Pursuit of the American Dream
Gatsby’s grand mansion, lavish parties, and immense wealth are all part of his attempt to win Daisy back. His belief that money can buy love and happiness reflects his faith in the American Dream—the idea that success and hard work can lead to personal fulfillment. However, Fitzgerald suggests that this dream is ultimately an illusion, as Gatsby’s wealth is not enough to change the social barriers that separate him from Daisy.
Tragic Flaws and Downfall
Gatsby’s greatest flaw is his inability to let go of the past. He believes he can recreate his history with Daisy, famously insisting, “Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!” This obsession blinds him to reality, making him vulnerable to manipulation and heartbreak. His willingness to take the blame for Myrtle Wilson’s death—when it was actually Daisy driving the car—leads to his tragic demise. In the end, Gatsby dies alone, abandoned by those he tried so hard to impress.
Psychoanalytical Study
Jay Gatsby, the tragic protagonist of The Great Gatsby, is a character deeply shaped by psychoanalytic themes, particularly shame, guilt, and grief. These emotions drive his choices, shape his relationships, and ultimately lead to his downfall. Through Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald explores the psychological consequences of chasing an unattainable dream and the emotional wounds that remain hidden beneath a glamorous facade.
Shame and Gatsby’s Reinvention
Shame plays a crucial role in Gatsby’s transformation from James Gatz, a poor farm boy, into the wealthy and enigmatic Jay Gatsby. He is ashamed of his humble origins and believes that only by becoming rich and powerful can he earn respect and love, particularly from Daisy Buchanan.
Gatsby’s obsession with wealth and status is a defense mechanism against his deep-seated shame.His elaborate mansion, extravagant parties, and mysterious background serve as a mask to hide his true self.He fabricates an identity—claiming to be “Oxford-educated” and from a wealthy family—to fit into the world of the elite.
From a psychoanalytic perspective, Gatsby’s shame drives him to construct an idealized version of himself. However, this identity is fragile, as it is built on illusions rather than genuine self-acceptance.
Guilt and the Pursuit of the Past
Gatsby’s guilt is primarily tied to his past with Daisy and his obsessive need to reclaim it. He feels responsible for losing her and believes that his failure to provide for her financially years ago led to her marrying Tom Buchanan. This guilt fuels his relentless pursuit of recreating their former love.Gatsby’s famous belief—“Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!”—reflects his inability to process guilt in a healthy way. Instead of accepting reality, he tries to rewrite it.His guilt is also evident in his willingness to take the blame for Myrtle Wilson’s death, even though Daisy was the one driving the car. This act of self-sacrifice highlights his deep emotional burden.Despite his wealth and social status, Gatsby is never truly at peace because he is haunted by what he perceives as his past failures.
Psychoanalytically, Gatsby’s guilt prevents him from moving forward. He remains emotionally stuck in the past, unable to reconcile his idealized memories with reality.
Grief and the Illusion of the Dream
Grief is at the core of Gatsby’s tragedy. His greatest sorrow is not just losing Daisy but realizing that the dream he built around her was never real.Gatsby grieves not only for Daisy but for the version of himself that he can never truly become. He built his entire life around an illusion, and when that illusion collapses, he is left with nothing.The green light at the end of Daisy’s dock symbolizes this unattainable dream. It is always just out of reach, representing Gatsby’s unfulfilled longing and eventual disillusionment.His grief is also evident in his isolation—despite the hundreds of people who attend his parties, no one comes to his funeral. This symbolizes the emptiness of the life he built.
From a psychological standpoint, Gatsby’s grief is the result of his inability to let go of a lost ideal. He mourns not just Daisy, but the very dream that gave his life meaning.
3 How faithful is Luhrmann's film adaption to the original novel?
Baz Luhrmann’s 2013 film adaptation of The Great Gatsby stays largely faithful to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s original novel in terms of plot, dialogue, and themes. However, it also takes creative liberties in its visual style, narrative framing, and characterization.
Faithfulness to the Novel
Plot and Dialogue – The film closely follows the book’s major events, from Nick Carraway’s arrival in West Egg to Gatsby’s tragic death. Many lines of dialogue are taken directly from the novel.
Themes – The movie preserves the novel’s exploration of the American Dream, wealth, illusion, and disillusionment. Gatsby’s obsession with Daisy and his tragic idealism remain central.
Symbolism – The film retains important symbols, such as the green light, the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, and Gatsby’s lavish parties as a representation of excess.
Creative Liberties
Visual Style – Luhrmann adds a highly stylized, almost hyperreal aesthetic. The parties are extravagant and visually overwhelming, incorporating modern music (e.g., hip-hop) to evoke the energy of the Jazz Age.
Nick’s Narration – Unlike the novel’s reflective, straightforward narration, the film frames Nick as a recovering alcoholic writing Gatsby’s story from a sanitarium, adding a psychological layer not present in the book.
Music Choices – While the story is set in the 1920s, the soundtrack blends jazz with modern artists like Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Lana Del Rey. This choice adds a contemporary feel but deviates from historical accuracy.
Daisy and Gatsby’s Relationship – The film romanticizes their love more than the book, where Daisy is portrayed as more shallow and unworthy of Gatsby’s devotion.
Overall Verdict
Luhrmann’s adaptation remains loyal to the novel’s core story and themes but enhances the spectacle, emotion, and modern relatability through its visuals, music, and stylized storytelling. While some critics argue that these elements overshadow the novel’s subtle social critique, others appreciate the way the film captures the novel’s emotional and thematic essence in a way that resonates with contemporary audiences.
4 Write a brief note on the symbolic significance of 'Green Light' and 'Billboard of The Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckelberg'
The Green Light – The green light at the end of Daisy Buchanan’s dock symbolizes Gatsby’s hopes and dreams, particularly his longing to reunite with Daisy. It represents the American Dream, the idea of striving for something just out of reach. However, like Gatsby’s dream, the light is ultimately unattainable, highlighting the illusion and disillusionment that come with chasing an idealized past.
The Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg – The faded, eyeglass-wearing billboard in the Valley of Ashes is a powerful symbol of moral decay and judgment. The eyes, staring blankly over the desolate landscape, are often interpreted as a representation of God watching over a corrupt society or as a reminder of the emptiness behind the pursuit of wealth and status. The lifeless billboard contrasts with Gatsby’s dream, emphasizing the hollowness of materialism and the loss of ethical values in the Jazz Age.
5 Write a brief note on the theme of 'The American Dream' and 'Class Conflict' in the novel.
The American Dream – The Great Gatsby critiques the American Dream, showing how it has been corrupted by materialism and social status. Gatsby embodies the dream’s ideals—rising from poverty to immense wealth—but his pursuit of success is ultimately driven by his unrealistic desire to recreate the past with Daisy. His downfall suggests that the American Dream is an illusion, where hard work does not always lead to fulfillment, and the pursuit of wealth often leads to moral decay and disillusionment rather than happiness.
Class Conflict – The novel highlights the deep divide between social classes, particularly through the contrast between West Egg (new money), East Egg (old money), and the Valley of Ashes (the working class). Tom Buchanan, representing the privileged upper class, looks down on Gatsby, whose wealth cannot buy him true social acceptance. Meanwhile, the working-class characters, like George and Myrtle Wilson, suffer under a system that favors the rich. Fitzgerald exposes the rigid class hierarchy, showing how wealth alone is not enough to bridge social divisions.
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